Why You Should Apply To London Business School

August 24, 2016|by Emma Bond

With the new MBA admissions rounds starting this fall, you’re probably trying to narrow down your selection of b-schools. If London Business School (LBS) isn’t on your shortlist, we suggest you consider it. The current class profile includes a student population that is 92% international, with 68 nationalities. Even more impressive, The Financial Times (FT) consistently ranks the LBS full time MBA amongst the top two or three programs in the world.

Here are a few more reasons why we’ve got our eyes on LBS:

Global leadership – an MBA fit for purpose

LBS is dedicated to offering a truly global MBA experience. Based in a capital city and business hub, the school provides a challenging, real-world learning environment, demonstrating diverse cultural, professional and international perspectives. With the goal of developing global leaders that will be competitive in today’s markets, LBS offers a strong multi-dimensional curriculum, from pre-term courses like Global Leadership Assessment for Managers (GLAM), to exciting programs like the Global Business Experience (GBE), which offers students location-specific immersive opportunities. The recently-launched LBS Leadership Institute will fund research projects, case clinics and conferences, creating innovative experiences that will help improve leadership practice.

For some time, LBS has been developing and expanding its global focus, building international recruiter networks, alumni chapters, and b-school partnerships. Although Brexit has agitated much of Europe, don’t let it dissuade you from applying. The school’s established global networks, top rankings, and extensive recruiter links (both in London and worldwide) should mean that LBS graduates will remain unaffected.

It’s not as costly as you think

At first glance the tuition fees for LBS’ two-year MBA program (with an option for a 15-month program) look steep. Students starting in August 2016 will pay £70,800 (approx. US$93k) in fees – and that’s before including London living expenses. However, some recent changes may surprise you.

Firstly, evidence shows that salaries at European schools are now keeping pace with their US equivalents. In addition to a post-MBA salary increase of 107%, LBS graduates can now expect an average 20-year ROI circa $3 million, a rate matched by only three US programs.[1] Secondly, Brexit has caused Sterling to be hit hard. Since the UK voted to leave the European Union, the pound has fallen 13% against the dollar with even further losses expected. Last year at this time, tuition for the LBS MBA cost upwards of $111k; with Sterling currently trading at $1.31[2], fees are down to around $93k, a figure far below all top ten US schools.

Additionally, LBS has successfully increased its endowment fund; the school recently surpassed a £100m fundraising goal in under three years. We advise applicants to submit applications early (at least by Round 3), since more scholarships will be offered this year than ever before. Scholarships are awarded on both academic and professional merit. They are open to all, although some, like the new 30% Club Scholarship, are for women only. There are also field-specific awards, targeting areas as diverse as consulting, tech, luxury, healthcare, and the military.

Thrilling times

2017 is set to be an epic year for LBS as they have a new Dean, François Ortalo-Magné, and the new Sammy Ofer Centre will open a landmark infrastructure investment, which will expand teaching space by an incredible 70%. With the potential for a Brexit exchange windfall, now is the perfect time to join the LBS community.